The Red Balloon Project is a seven-track EP from Skizzy Mars, a native of Manhattan who specializes in melodic, slightly left-of-center rap. He involves guests on all but two tracks -- "Like This" and "Be Lazy" -- which just happen to be among the highlights. His confident and irreverent but self-effacing rhymes, combined with his knack for pop hooks, would have likely carried the release without assistance. ~ Andy Kellman